19 charged in three north St. Louis drug conspiracies

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ST. LOUIS (KMOX)-A more than year-long investigation into drug trafficking in north St. Louis’ Penrose Neighborhood, has led to federal drug, weapon and money laundering charges against 19 people, involved in three separate conspiracies.

Eleven of the suspects are from the city, 2 are from Florissant, 2 are from St. Charles and there’s one each from Jefferson City, MO and Wood River, IL.

Prosecutors say they’re responsible for distributing more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, 100 kilograms of cocaine and a kilogram of heroin. Investigators say the drugs were imported from Texas, Arizona and California.

The investigation was begun by the DEA and St. Louis Police Department in the summer of 2009. The IRS-Criminal Investigation Division joined the effort because of the money laundering aspects.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Harry Sinners says, “Today’s arrests put an end to a dangerous criminal organization that funneled drugs onto the streets of the Penrose community, which led to an increase in crime and violence.”

Eric Reedus, 38, Milan Street, St. Louis, MO;

Maurice Williams, 36, Liberty Street, St. Louis, MO;

William Gholson, 31, Rozier Street, St. Louis, MO;

Kendrick Moody, 39, 39, Webshire Street, St. Louis, MO;

Terrance Dunning, 35, Bugle Hill, Florissant, MO;

Selassie Gresham, 32, Fox Trail Drive, St. Charles, MO;

Freddie James, 39, Blackbirch Drive, Chesterfield, MO;

Wayman Simms, 56, St. Louis Avenue, St. Louis, MO;

Jeremiah Taylor, 26, Salisbury Street, St. Louis, MO;

Randy Hendrix, 32, Walton Street, St. Louis, MO;

Gauntlett McCarter, 36, Claxton Street, St. Louis, MO;

Jarin Robinson, 40, 22nd Street, St. Louis, MO;

Anthony Martin, 42, Connecticut, Florissant, MO;

Y’Keta Canada, 29, Windmill Lane, Jefferson City, MO;

Andrew Smith, 32, Circle Drive, St. Charles, MO;

Kevin Cowper, Kingshighway, St. Louis, MO;

Randi Johnson, 24, Colonial Drive, Woodriver, IL;

Bernard West 33, Cherokee Street, St. Louis, MO; and

Michael Lawson, 32, North 20th Street, St. Louis, MO.

If convicted, these charges carry penalty ranges from five years to life in prison.